I surface plane very successfully with a router and sled all the time. I wish I had a planer and wide belt sander big enough for 11’ slabs, but that’s far fetched. I just don’t want to pay for a $200 Amana bit or comparable bits and am looking for the next best bit.

My experience is that over time, you have to realize that you have spent maybe $200-300 on bits that wear out, when for the same money you could have a good used planer off CL, or add another hundred and get a new planer.

If I planned on doing a lot of flattening a lot of slabs, I’d probably go with one of those expensive bit with multiple square carbide bits. Of course with the square bottom type ones I’ve heard it leaving the lines with every pass, so some people use a big bowl bottom bit.

My experience is that over time, you have to realize that you have spent maybe $200-300 on bits that wear out, when for the same money you could have a good used planer off CL, or add another hundred and get a new planer.

- Tennessee

Yea but he’s talking about slabs, most of which are too wide for mostly planers and def jointers, unless you have a huge bank account that is and space.

I bought this one for flattening a slab. Never got around to building a sled but I have used the bit to form half lap joints and tenons and it works great. Leaves a sharp corner and smooth finish. I’ve definitely got my $s worth out of it. If you’re doing large slabs, you might want one a little bigger though.

Here is a link to a jig you can use, but you may already have one. I have been satisfied with the one Magnate router bit I bought. Get the biggest diameter bit you can find because an eleven foot slab will require a lot of passes. The bottom cleaning bit Scott suggested would be a good one.